Bleeding Rainbow played Johnny Brenda’s in Philly on March 30th to a sold out crowd. The band had taken to facebook prior promising a trashing performance and dammit, they delivered. It seems that every time we see them, their configuration is slightly different. On this night, Sarah switched between guitar and bass. Regardless who is playing what, Bleeding Rainbow always brings intense psychedelic shoegaze punk to bear. Add to that the obvious fun they are having doing what they do and Bleeding Rainbow is a Philly band to be seen – I know we have said this before, but we will continue to say it until they grow out of our beautiful city.

Check out some video from the JB’s performance and peruse these previous performances for more info on the band (NYE Show, Union Transfer Show). Also, be sure to get out and see them April 13th at PhilaMOCA!

Cloud Nothings is Dylan Baldi, Joe Boyer, TJ Duke, and Jayson Gerycz and was the brainchild of the most former. Originating in Ohio, the group has risen meteorically since it’s humble beginnings in 2009. With three high-quality albums produced since 2010, a best new music citation from Pitchfork this year, and a bevy of catchy singles under their belts, Cloud Nothings shows no sign of slowing down.

We caught them at Johnny Brenda’s on March 30th of this year and were extremely excited having missed their go-around late last year. This sell-out show was packed full of energy and the band wasted no time playing to it. Running through most every track on their 2012 release, Attack On Memory, the band laid down mind bending riffs and beats that drew goosebumps. It was truly an awesome spectacle. The highlight for us was certainly the 13+ minute version of Wasted Days. In lieu of using more words to describe this, check out the video below:

The Brooklyn, by way of San Fran, duo known as Royal Baths (of Kanine, Woodsist, WZRD MNTN record labels) put on a mind-melter at KFN in Philly on Wednesday, February 8th. Jeremy Cox and Jigmae Baer have just released their second album which builds upon their previous take on droney, psychedelic rock and is a fantastic listen. Delivered live, we could feel the heavy sound vibrate through our bones in the most fantastic of ways. We wanted them to play all night.

The Royal Baths’ touring ensemble is made up of four including John Rau, Turner Halsey. The quartet breaks into song at varying pace but with consistent intensity. Solid guitar work and steady drums are capped by eerie and trippy vocals. Every song played left us hoping for another with the same metaphorical evisceration. Beside ourselves was the prevailing feeling. Guitar cords so sharp we felt cut to pieces. Music so enveloping, we hope a second chance to see them comes soon. Get out and see them when you can – disappointment is a word that drops from the dictionary when Royal Baths are concerned. Check out some video below:

Playing Johnny Brenda’s on January 5th 2012 was a magically eclectic sounding Son Step from our own Philly. Infusing elements of funk, garage, folk, soul and more, Son Step played an inspiring set. The four piece is comprised of jon coyle on vocals, little drums, electrics, pat lamborn on vocals, guitar, chris coyle on bass and matt scarano on big drums. Check out their bandcamp and website for some of their recorded work.

Like nuclear evolution Son Step’s sound morphed on stage moving the listener in and out of chord and tempo changes and delivering an awesome experimental type sound. We enjoyed many things about the Son Step set; but perhaps most was the originality of their compositions. Check them out when you have a chance and take a peek at our video from the evening below:

Tennessee-based Cheap Time played Kung Fu Necktie November 17th like a garage rock machine gun. Running through tracks back to back to back, with pretty much no pause, Cheap Time delivered the goods we thought they would. Stand out guitar riffs and drums with garage punk vocals. Jeffrey Novak simply shreds and seeing him live was a treat. We were amazed at the degree of non-verbal communication in the band and the speed at which they could transition songs in a live setting. With no hesitation at all they glided through tracks with ease almost running them into each other. So often this is not the case but with Cheap Time, there was no rest for the weary. So cool.

Cheap Time mixes the elements of multiple genres including powerpop melodies. glamrock riffs, with punk rock. The y draw influences from The Runaways, The Idle Race, Alex Chilton, early Redd Kross, The Quick, Sparks and Milk ‘N’ Cookies and have toured with the late great Jay Reatard. Cheap Time put out their 3rd LP in 2010 and are currently on In The Red records.

The current lineup consists of Jeffrey Novak on guitar & vocals, Stephen Braren on bass, vocals & keys, and Ryan Sweeney on drums. Cheap Time is a must see and to that end, we have video for you below:

Chicago’s Mannequin Men were more than just window dressing in their set at KFN in Philly on November 17th. Hot off the release of their new eponymous album and glowing reviews by SPIN magazine among others, the quartet played a very lively and tight show for the Philly crowd. Incorporating mostly tracks off their 2011 LP release, Mannequin Men infused the room with killer bass, guitar, drums and vocals.

Mannequin Men is comprised of Kevin Richard, Ethan D’Ercole, Seth Bohn, and Miles Raymer. The most prevalent description of their sound (and one which we would agree with) is “If the Replacements had met Peter Sellers on the floor of a dive bar somewhere in the Midwest, they may have drunkenly thought up the Mannequin Men.” Funny, serious, and true. Having put in incredible amounts of work over the past 7 years, the band’s efforts certainly seem to be paying off with another album that is a great listen and a live show that is as good if not better.

Mannequin Men are a treasure and should not be missed. We only wish that they were a Philly band so we could watch them play and hang out with them more often. Check out some video we captured from their set:

Lost Show Posts: LPC has caught some really kick-ass shows that for some strange reason never got reported on. The Vivian Girls set at Johnny Brenda’s on September 6th 2011 was one of these. This is the first in a series of set reports that should have been covered long ago.

The Vivian Girls from Brooklyn, NY put on a power set for the JB crowd on September 6th. The lineup consisting of Cassie Ramone, “Kickball Katy” Goodman and Fiona Campbell were the headliners on this evening and showed why we had heard so many good things about their live performances. Having released 3 LP’s the band had much material to draw from but focused primarily on their new release “Share the Joy”.

We thoroughly enjoyed the energy these ladies put out into the ether. Drawing on numerous influences including the Wipers and past tour mates Jay Reatard (RIP), King Khan and the Shrines, and Sonic Youth, the Vivian Girls have an indie/garage rock/lo-fi sound unequaled. Their passion for playing music comes across clearly on stage and we felt it in every note and riff. Now on Polyvinyl records, the Vivian Girls sound is getting tighter and tighter while staying true to the sound on which they were founded.

Catching the Vivian Girls live is highly recommended and their return to Philly is eagerly awaited. Check out some video from the night below:

We fell in love on October 15th at Kung Fu Necktie with a band called BLEACHED. It was one of those love at first sight sound kind of things. Their music felt like home and something seemed so familiar. While we didn’t know it at the time, perhaps lack of due diligence, we had heard the lead singer and guitarist before. As it turned out, Jennifer Clavin lead singer and guitarist was in bands with whom we were familiar and enjoyed greatly: Cold Cave and Mika Miko. Back for a new adventure, her and her sister Jessica Clavin (also of Mika Miko) formed BLEACHED, started writing material (in 2009) and much later (due to Jennifer’s involvement with Cold Cave) touring with a supporting cast (drummer and bassist) of two: Scott and Kevin.

BLEACHED live at KFN

But back to the love thing – we aren’t sure that this was caused by their past incarnations but rather the sound they are currently producing. In fact, we are certain it is their current sound.

BLEACHED has that fuzzed out beach garage rock punk sound we adore. It’s part Best Coast/Joan Jett/Ramones/Soft Pack/The Damned/et al. How lucky to have heard them in Philly. The crowd loved them too and the set performed was fantastic – perhaps a warm-up to CMJ and Jessica’s homecoming after leaving NYC post Cold Cave stint. We mean warm-up in the most possitive way possible though as their set was on point and enveloping making it difficult to shoot video and take mental notes about the on-goings.

Watch and listen out for BLEACHED as they turn your dark’s white at every show. They are truly not to be slept on. Currently they have several 7″ single out (we were stoked to get ours signed at the show!) but look for a full length LP at some point. We can’t wait to get our copy. Enjoy some video from their Philly show below:

We have a Sneaking Suspicion you haven’t heard of this band and it may be because they are so new that we caught their first show! The members of Sneaking Suspicion are anything but new to the Philly band scene though. These guys are amazing. On September 29th they seriously killed it. We were standing there not believing what we were hearing. Original material plus Paint it Black by the Stones and Dazed and Confused by Zeppelin were played. Simply put: if you guys see this band playing, do not miss them.

Sneaking Suspicion is Ry, Bean & Jay-Rod and they all have pedigree. It is the side project of their dub rock venture Among Criminals and is a Punk, Blues, and Garage Rock mix.

Their songs are tighter than most who have playing their repertoire for years yet it’s all new stuff. You could tell how much fun they were having as they shredded each and every track. Ry on guitar and lead vocals is otherworldly in his solos and his voice is on point. Bean lays down thick and inspired bass beating the strings like a madman. Jay-Rod solidifies the sound with his sick drum skills.

We like these guys a lot and suggest you get out and catch them in their natural element soon. Here is some video from that unbelievable inaugural performance: